Railway signaling apparatus.



No. 689,976. Patented Dec. 3|, l190|..

' 4 F. A. LANDEE.

RAILWAY VSIGNALING APPARATUS.

l' (Application med sept. 29, 1906.)

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No. 689,976.. Patented Dec. 3|, |901.

. F. A. LANDEE. RAILWAY SIGNALIN'G APPARATUS.

(Application filed Sept. 29, 1900;) (Nn Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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@mM-WT@ N0. 689,976. Patented Dec. 3|, |90l.

F. A. LANDEE.

RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS.

(Application led Sept. 29, 1900.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

UNiTnD STaTrts PATENT Canica.

FRANK A. LANDEE, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS.

RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 689,976, dated :December 31, 1901- Application filed September 29, 1900. Serial No. 31,468. (No model T0 all whom it 1n/ty concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK A. LANDEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Moline, in the county of Rock Island and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Railway Signaling Apparatus, (Gase No. 4,) of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specilication.

My invention relates to railway signaling apparatus, and has for its object an improved device which is adapted iu the preferred embodiment to selectively aetuate a plurality of signals.

More particularly my invention may be used to operate a plurality of signals or indicating means distributed along a railroadtrack, each signal being preferably placed at a crossing over the said railroad-track, the said signals by means of my device being successively actuated when a moving car or train is passing over the railroad-track.

In my previous patent, No. 647,570, issued to me April 17, 1900, I have shown a signalcontrolling device which actuates a single signal at a railroad-crossing both for single and double track systems irrespective of the direction of travel of the moving train. In my present application I provide additional means, in connection with the apparatus shown in my previous patent, by means ot' which I am enabled to operate more than one signal placed at different railroad-crossings, each signal indicating the approach of a train toward its respective crossing irrespective of the direction of travel of the moving train.

Generally speaking, in the preferred embodiment of my invention I use as many electromagnets as there are signals, each eleclromagnet partially controlling the operation of two signals, so that each signal is controlled alternately by each of two electromagnets.

I will explain my invention more in detail by reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof, in which- Figure lis a front view of my improved signal-actuating device. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof. Fig, is a diagrammalic view of a section of railroad-track willi intersecting.

crossings, two of my improved devices being' shown as actuating five signals. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are illustrative of the various positions occupied by the pivotal contact-arms of my device. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the pivotal contact-levers of my device.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the views.

My improved signal device comprises in its preferred embodiment two electromagnets l 1, suitably mounted upon a back-piece 2, of insulating material, by means of supportingposts 3 3. Each magnet actuates an armature 4, pivotally secured in place by means of adjustable screws 5 5. The armatures 4e 4 are provided with a forwardly-extending actuating-arm 6. The actuating-arm 6 is limited in its movement toward the magnet by stops 7 7, preferably of insulating material, adjustably secured in place to a base-plate 8. The movement of the armature and actuating-arm 6 away from the magnets l is prevented by adjustable binding-posts 9 9, the binding-posts 9 in this instanceheld in place by U-shaped supports l0. Each actuating-arm 6 is coperatively associated with contact-levers 11 1l, pivotally secured to a supporting-plate 12, said supporting-plate being mounted upon the back-piece 2. The contact-levers 11, as before stated, are engaged at one extremity by the actuating-arm G and are provided at their other extremity with preferably vertical inelines. Pieces of insulation 13 13 are mounted upon the contact-levers l1, upon their overlapping extremities. The contactlevers l1 ll are adapted to engage a springcontact 14, preferably constructed in the form of a leaf-spring and mounted upon a supporting-post l5, also secured to the backpiece 2. The contact-levers ll are adapted alternately to engage the spring-contact let, the arrangement of the spring-contact 14 and the said contact-levers ll being such that when the said springcontact is engaged by one of the said contact-levers the said contact-spring is out of the path of the remaining contact-lever and cannot be engaged thereby. I obtain this result by having overlapping edges of the said contact-levers ll placed adjacent to and preferably below the spring contact member 14e. The contact-lc- IOO vers 11 are provided with inclined surfaces at their overlapping extremities, which inclined surfaces engage the spring-contact 14 and which inclined surface of either lever is adapted to engage the swinging contact member and withdraw the same from the path of the other contact-lever, as will be clear from the disposition of the said levers 11 shown in Fig. 1. The strips of insulation 13 are'provided at the overlapping extremities of said levers, but are so situated as not to interfere with the cont/act between said swinging contact member 14 and either of the levers 11 when engagement has been effected between said member and the inclined surface of said lever. In the operation of the device it is essential, after contact has been eifected between the inclined surface of one lever and the swinging contact 14, that upon a denergization of the magnet of the remaining lever 11 no contact be effected between said last aforesaid lever and the spring contact member 14 upon a renergization of the magnet of the first aforesaid lever. In order to accomplish this result, I allow the pieces of insulation 13 to project slightly beyond the overlapping ends of said levers, so thatwhen spring contactmember 14 engages the rounded surface of either contact member 11 instead of the inclined surface thereof no electrical connection is effected between said lev'erand said spring contact member. Stops 16 16 are provided, preferably, upon the inclined surfaces of the contact-levers to limit the movement of the said contact-levers when engaging the leaf-spring 14 after deenergization of the corresponding electromagnet 1. As before stated, the insulating-strips 13 13, provided upon the contact-levers 11, extend slightly beyond the curved end surfaces of the said contact-levers, so thatwhen one contact-lever 11 has been released by its magnet while the remaining contact-'lever engages the spring-contact 14 a renergization of one of the magnets in order to attract the second aforesaid contact-lever 11 will not be followed by a closed circuit through the said spring-contact and the first aforesaid contactlever, as the strip of insulation will prevent such contact. The binding-posts 9 are preferably so arranged that the actuating-bars 6 may engage the same only1 when the corresponding contact-lever 11 is not engaged by the spring-contact 14 upon deenergization of the corresponding electromagnet 1.

yThe mechanical operation of the device will beV apparent. The normal positions of both armatures 4 are in their attracted position as the electromagnets 1 are normally, energized. Thus both contact-levers 11 are disengaged from the spring-contact 14. Upon deenergization of either electromagnet 1, assuming for purposes of illustration that this be the left-hand electromagnet lof Fig. 1, left-hand armature 4 of the said electromagnet is released, and contact-lever 11 engages springcontact 14. When the contact-lever 11 enesaev gages the spring-contact14, the upward Inovement of the said contact-lever is stopped by the stop or detent 16, so that although contact is established between the left contactlever 11 and the spring-contact 14 no contact is established between the left-hand actuating-bar 6 and the left-hand binding-post 9, Fig. 4. This will be clear when it is observed that the spring contact member 14 engages the inclined surface of said left-hand contact-lever 11 and slides along said inclined surface upon the upward movement of said lever until the said spring-contactV engages the stop or detent 16, thereby limiting the upward movement of said contact-lever. The position of the stop or detent is so chosen that the upward movement of the lever 11 is stopped before contact has been established between the' left-hand actuating-bar 6 and the lefthand binding-post 9, as the said left-hand actuating-bar 6 is held in place by the forklike extremity of said left-hand contact-lever 11. If now the right-hand electromagnet 1 is denergized, right-hand armature 4/ is released and right hand contactlever 11 changed to its reversed position, as most clearly shown in Fig. 5. In this instance as nothing prevents the upward movement of the contact-lever 11 the right-hand armature 4 engages the right-hand binding-post 9 and establishes contact therewith. If now the left-hand electromagnet 1 is again energized, left-hand armature 4 is attracted, and lefthand contact-lever 11 is drawn out of engagement with the contact-spring 14, thus breaking the circuit between said left-hand contact-lever 11 and the spring-contact 14, so that the said left-hand contact-lever 11 is again in its normalr position. The contact-spring 14 then engages the right-hand insulating-strip 13 and is thereby prevented from establishing a contact with the right-hand contact-lever 11, as most clearly shown in Fig. 6. If now the right-hand electromagnet 1 be again energized, the right-hand armature 4and the right-hand contact-lever 11 are drawn into their normal positions and contact is broken between the said right-hand armature 4 and the right-hand binding-post 9.

I will now describe two of myimproved signal-actuating devices as applied to a singletrack railwaysystem, the said devicesin this instance actuating five signals.

The railway-track is divided into four sections a b c d, respectively, wit-'h five crossings cfg h 't' intersecting the said railway-track at intervals. Signals 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 are arranged,respectively,atthe crossin gse f g h t'. The sections of track d b c d are connected with batteries j la Z m, respectively, and also with the electromagnets 1 1 1 1'-that is, section a being connected to the left-hand electromagnet 1, section b to the right-hand electromagnet 1, section c to the left-hand electromagnet 1', section d to the right-hand electromagnet 1--so that current from the batteries normally energizes all of the magnets IOO IIO

1 1 1 1". One terminal of each of the signals ation of three signals. The reverse operation 17, 18,v 19, 20, and 21 is connected to one electrode of a battery n, the remaining electrode of the battery being connected to each of the contact-levers 11 11 and 11 11'. I apply the same reference characters to the right-hand device ot Fig. 3, a distinguishing characteristic- ()being added to the said reference characters. The remaining terminals of the signals 18 and 2O are connected to the contact-springs 14 14', respectively. The remaining terminal of the signal 19 is connected to both the righthand binding-post9 and the left-hand binding-post 9'. The remaining contacts of the signals 17 and 21 are connected, respectively, to the left-hand binding-post 9 and the righthand binding-post 9. It' now a train is passing from left to right upon the track, as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3, the wheels will short-circuit the section of track et, thereby denergizing the left-hand electromagnet 1 and bringing the left-hand contact-lever 1l into engagement with the contact-spring 14, thereby actuating the signal 18 at the crossing j". By a further movement of the train the wheels short-circuit the section of track b, thus denergizing the right-hand electromagnet 1 and permitting right-hand armature 4 to recede, thereby allowing the right-hand actuating-arm 6 to engage the right-hand binding-post 9 and close the circuit through the signal 19 at crossing g. A further movement of the train will cause a short circuit of battery Z, connected to section c, and a denergization of the left-hand electromagnet 1'. The left-hand contact-lever 11 then engages the contactspring 14 and closes circuit through the signal 20, the left-hand detent 16 preventing the left-hand actuatingarm 6 from engaging the left-hand binding-post 9', and the circuit of signal 2O at crossing h is completed. A further movement of the train will likewise cause an actuation of signal 21 similar to signal 19. As the rear wheels of the train recede and leave the section of track ci the left-hand contact-leverllis withdrawn from engagement with the contact-spring 14 and the circuit through signal 18 is interrupted, because the right-hand insulatingstrip 13 prevents a closing of the circuit between the contact-spring 14 and the righthand contact-lever 1l. As the rear wheels of the train leave section b right-hand armature 4 is again attracted by the right-hand electromagnet 1 and right-hand actuating-arm 6 is withdrawn from engagement with righthand binding-post 9, thus breaking the circuit through signal 19. In like manner circuit through the signals 20 and 21 is interrupted as the train leaves the sections c and d, respectively.

Y It will be seen that an indefinite number of signals may be thus arranged alonga railroad-track, the number of signals being preferably equal to twice the number of signalactuating devices employed. Each signalactuating device partially controls the opertakes place when a train is moving in an opposite direction upon the track, as will be understood.

I do not wish to limit myself to the class of signaling employed, nor to the use 0f the Specic detent or catch as shown, as other means may be readily employed to take the place of the said detent. I furthermore do not wish to limit myself to other precise constructions and arrangements as herein shown and particularly described; but,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electric signaling system, for railways, the combination with two electromagnets, of two sections of track each normally included in closed circuit with said electromagnets, a plurality of signals disposed along the railroad-track, contact-arms controlled by said electromagnets and connected with one terminal of each of the signals, a spring contact member connected with the remaining terminal of one of the signals, and contactpoints connected with the remaining terminals of the other signals, the said contactarms each being adapted for engagement with the spring contact member or one of the said contact-points, substantially as described.

2. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination with two electromagnets, of two sections of track each normally included in closed circuit with said electromagnets, a plurality of signals disposed along the railroad-track, contact-arms controlled by said electromagncts and connected with one terminal ot each of the signals, ends of the said contact-arms overlapping a spring contact member having a free end opposed to the overlapping ends of the contact-arms and connected with the remaining terminal of one of the signals, and contact-points connected with the remaining terminals of the other signals, the said contact-arms each being adapted for engagement with the spring contact member or one of the said contact-points, each of the said contact-arms being adapted to force the spring contact member out of the path of the remaining contact-arm, substantially as described.

3. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination with two electromagnets, of two sections of track each normally included in closed circuit with said electromagnets, a plurality of signals disposed along the railroad-track, contact-arms controlled by said electromagnets and connected with one terminal of each of the signals, ends of the said contact-arms overlapping a spring contact member having a free end opposed to the overlapping ends of the contact-arms and connected with the remaining terminal of one of the signals, and contact-points connected with the remaining terminals of the other signals, the said contact-arms each being adapted for engagement with the spring contact IOO IIO

member or one of the said contact-points, each of the said contact-arms being adapted to force the spring contact member out of the path of the remaining contact-arm, the said contact-arms being provided with strips ot' insulation, to prevent electrical contact between said strip and onearm after electrical contact has been eiected between said strip and the other arm, substantially as described.

4. In a signaling system, for railways, the combination with a plurality of electromagnets, a plurality of track-sections normal lyineluded in closed circuit with said electromagnets, a plurality of signals disposed along the track-sections, contact-arms controlled by said electromagnets, each connected with one terminal of each of the said signals, spring contact members adapted for engagement by the said contact-arms and connected to the remaining terminals of some of the said signals, and contact-points also adapted for engagement by the said contact-arms, the remaining terminals of the other signals being connected to the said contact-points, substantially as described.

5. In a signaling system for railways, the combination with a plurality of electromagnets, a plurality of track-sections normally included in closed circuits with said electromagnets, a plurality of signals disposed along the track-sections, contactarms controlled by said electromagnets, each connected with one terminal of each of the said signals, spring contact members adapted for engage-ment by the said contact-arms and connected to the remaining terminals of some of the said signals, and contact-points also adapted for engagement by the said contact-arms, the remaining terminals of the vother signals being connected to the said contact-points, the said contactarms being prevented from engaging the contact-points when engaging the said spring contact members, substantially as described.

Y 6. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination with two electromagnets, of two sections of track each normally included in closed circuit with said electro- ,magnctsn a plurality of signals disposed along the railroad-track, contact-arms controlled by said electromagnets and connected with one terminal of each of the signals, ends of the said contact-arms overlapping, a spring contact member having a free end opposed to the overlapping ends of the contact-arms connected with the remaining terminal of one of the signals, and contact-points connected with the remaining terminals of the other signals, the said contact-arms each being ad'apted for engagement with the spring contact member or one of the said contact-points, each of the said contact-arms being adapted to force the spring contact member out of the path of the remaining contact-arm, the' said contactarms being prevented from engaging the contact-points when engaging the said spring contact member, substantially `as described.

7. In a signal-controlling device, the combination with a spring Contact member, of pivotally-mounted contact-arms adapted to engage said spring contact member, electromagnets for controlling saidcontact-arms, contact-points also adapted for engagement by said contact-arms, and means provided upon said contact-arms adapted upon conjoint action With said spring contact member, to preve-nt the said contact-arms from engaging said spring contact member, substantially as described.

8. In a signal-controlling device, the combination with a spring contact member, of pivotally-mounted contact-arms adapted alternately to engage said spring contact member, electromagnets for controlling said contact-arms, contact-pointsalso .adapted for engagement by said contact-arms,and means provided upon said contact-arms adapted upon conjoint action with said spring contact member, to prevent the said contact-arms from engaging said spring contact member, substantially as described.

9. In a signal-controlling device, the combination with a spring contact member, of pivotally-mounted contact-arms adapted to engage said spring contact member, electromagnets for controlling said contact-arms, contact-points also adapted for engagement by said contact-arms, and detents provided upon said contact-arms adapted upon conjoint action with said spring contact member, to prevent the said contact-arms from engaging said spring contact member, substantially as described.

10. In a signal-controlling device, the combination with a spring contact member, of pivotally-mounted contact-arms adapted alternately to engage said spring contact member, electromagnets for controlling said contact-arms, contactpoints also adapted for engagementby said contact-arms,and detents provided upon said contact -arms adapted upon conjoint action with said spring contact member, to prevent the said contact-arms from engaging said .spring contact member, substantially as described.

1l. In a signal-controlling device, the combination with a spring contact member, of pivotally-mounted contact-arms adapted to engage said contact member, each of the said arms being adapted When actuated, to thru st the spring contact member out of the path of the remaining contact member, electromagnets for actuating the said contact-arms, and contact-points also adapted for engagement by said contact-arms, and means adapted, when a contactarm engages the contactspring, to prevent the same from engaging its corresponding contact-point, substantially as described.

12. In a signal-controlling device, the combination with a spring contact member, of pivotally mounted contact arms provided with insulating-strips, to prevent electrical contact between said strip and one arm after electrical contact has been effected between IIO said strip and the other arm, adapted to gaging its corresponding contact-point, subengage said contact member, each of the Stuntiaiiy as described.

said arms being` adapted when actuated, to l In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe thrust the spring contact member out of the my name this 21st day of September, A. D. 5 path of the remaining contact member, elec- 1900.

tromagnets for actuating the said contactarms, and contact-points also adapted for engagement by said contact-arms, and means W'itnesses:

adapted, when a. contact-arm engages the MAX W. ZABEL, 1o contact-spring, to prevent the seme from en- CHAS. E. HUBERT.

FRANK A. LANDEE. 

